Waking up gasping for air

[vicaragechristmas]

I’ve got a horrible cold or possibly flu (not sure I’m feeling ill enough for flu but they symptoms fit it more than a cold) and I’ve developed the weirdest symptom.

Whenever I fall asleep, a couple of hours later (max - sometimes an hour later) I wake up gasping with a throat that is entirely closed. It clears up quickly and I start being able to breathe again, but last night I was too freaked out to sleep and it’s happening again tonight.

Anyone know what’s going on? Anything I can do to mitigate it? Propping myself up has not made a difference. I’m so tired!

I get this a fair bit when I’m unwell but I have asthma. It was particularly awful when I had covid - have you tested to see if it’s that? I would ring 111 for advice, you might need an inhaler or some antibiotics or both.

@vicaragechristmas

its this horrid bug
its cos your throat has set semi solid with the crap in it and then you cough until loosened.

two hours more sleep and repeat.

i am better now just but it was three weeks

I was struggling to sleep with a cold this week due to congestion and leaking nose. Sprayed bed with lavender Febreeze. Seemed to help.

Have you any Olbas oil to clear your airways?

I get that with asthma if I get a bad cold, it usually goes when I get steroids

If you don't have asthma it might be worth getting checked out for it

If you do have asthma it might mean you need to up your dose

It may also be worth getting checked out for sleep apnea as colds can make the symptoms worse so if you have it very mildly you might only notice it now you are ill

It feels like I imagine asthma or sleep apnoea feel, if you know what I mean? I have no known experience of either but it isn’t like having a blocked nose or post nasal drip, it feels like my actual throat/trachea is closing.

Thanks for the replies, I’m feeling pathetic and scared (and as my user name should probably indicate, DH is a vicar so has an awful lot on, so I’m trying to deal with stuff by myself as much as possible). I’ve called 111 and they’ve given me a 6 hour call back, so hopefully I will hear from someone soon. Meanwhile I shall try to doze and just not panic too much if I get woken up by it again.

Sucky time of year to be ill like this, and poor DD has her birthday on Weds and I’ve no idea how we will sort all that out too. My DPs are ill too so the whole family is out of action 🤦‍♀️

I get this now and then, not connected to any colds or illness.
I wake up gasping for air and then have a coughing fit and not being able to breathe properly for ages.
I've been to a sleep clinic but sod's law it didn't happen when I was there.
Would love to know what causes it.

I contacted 111 at 1am this morning after it happened again - I’m now fairly sure I have flu, though symptoms are likely reduced in severity due to having had the flu vaccine. 111 said I’d get a 6hr call back, but it was 8pm before I received a call asking if I still want a call back. So that’s great! I’ve asked to be kept on the list as I’d like to know what to do to prevent it happening again, so I hope I get a call tonight.

We managed a fairly successful Christmas Day despite all this, but I’m shattered and very ready for bed again now.

I used to get this with acid reflux when pregnant. Not a nice way to wake at all!

Dont use things like frebreeze (at all) when you're ill, very bad for breathing.

Trying some nasal washing out and steaming if you can

I get it a fair bit with acid reflux - very scary

I get this when not ill but when I'm dehydrated

It's the mucus settling,try to sleep propped up, if you don't have any contraindications then Sudafed is pretty good, there's one specifically for a mucus cough/chest. Some albas oil on a tissue inside your pillowcase helps a bit too, as does making sure you've had plenty of fluids which helps to thin out the gunk, not so great for avoiding middle of the night toilet trips though.